Something to Talk About Personal notes and news.

When door-to-door is not selling Avon

The faculty and staff of Coastal Carolina University will be knocking on the doors of first-year students on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. But no one is in trouble – in fact, just the opposite.

The House Calls Program is a new initiative aimed at helping students adapt to university life. Volunteers from CCU will team up with resident assistants and directors to make personal visits to freshman students residing in university housing.

The new program is meant to engage first-year students in a variety of conversations, with the primary focus being to get feedback about the students’ experience at CCU to that point in the semester.

“These house calls are intended to create foundations for resident safety and success,” says Richard Gamble, area director for university housing. “It’s also designed to bring academics into residence halls, establishing and fostering positive relationships between the students and the faculty and staff.”

It can’t be denied that many new students could benefit from some extra encouragement. U.S. News recently reported that an average of “one in three first-year students do not make it back for sophomore year.” Homesickness, academic struggles, problems with their housing or financial and family issues are just a few reasons schools lose students.

CCU isn’t immune. The current retention rate is 65.8 percent. And that’s up from 59.9 percent last year. But that’s still more than 34 percent of CCU’s freshmen not returning for a second year.

“National research shows that students who connect to faculty and staff outside of the classroom are more likely to persist,” says Debbie Conner, vice president of Student Affairs. “The House Calls Program is impactful because it lets students know we care. If it makes a difference to one student who’s feeling really homesick in September, it will be a success.”

It starts with that first visit. These introductions will help identify potential problems before they get out of control and overwhelm a student. “It allows us to see immediate needs or housing issues that we can come back and address right away,” says Gamble. “If it’s an academic issue, we can direct them to the right people to fix it. In best case scenarios, this gives students another friend to help them acclimate.”

The Academics Initiatives Committee chose the name House Calls to get volunteers into a certain mindset. “The name is a reference to a time when doctors would come by their patients’ house and check on them in their own environment,” Gamble says. “We advertise the program to incoming freshmen, so they won’t be taken aback or feel like we’re blitzing them with strangers at their doors.”

The visiting parties will be accompanied by the student workers in university housing. “Hopefully, this is just the start of an ongoing conversation that helps them adjust in an adequate way,” Gamble says.

This initiative is one of the scheduled programs in CCU’s First 54 Calendar and works in relation to this year’s CINO TIE Events, proceedings meant to orientate and welcome new students during move-in weekend.

Before the event starts at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4, there will be a volunteer orientation at 6 p.m., which includes a free meal. Any members of CCU’s faculty and staff interested in volunteering can sign up at Coastal Connections at www.coastal.collegiatelink.net/form/start/24371. For more information, contact Gamble at 843-349-5066 or rgamble@coastal.edu.

CCU starts new student program Alcohol.edu

August 2 2013

Coastal Carolina University is implementing a new student program called Alcohol.edu.

This comprehensive prevention program aims to help students make the safest, healthiest decisions possible.

AlcoholEdu® for College, a two- to three-hour, Web-based alcohol prevention program, is being used at more than 500 colleges and universities around the country. The program uses the latest prevention techniques and science-based research to educate students about the impact of alcohol on the mind and body. Whether or not students drink alcohol, AlcoholEdu for College will empower students to make well-informed decisions about alcohol and help him or her better cope with the drinking behavior of peers.

Every incoming first-year student will be required to take AlcoholEdu for College and pass the course exam. All incoming students must complete Part 1 of the course by Aug. 16.

While we are committed to making a difference with our students, we also understand that parents are the first line of defense against alcohol misuse and abuse. That’s why AlcoholEdu® for Parents is also being made available.

AlcoholEdu for Parents is an online program designed to support conversations about alcohol that will help shape the decisions students must make in college surrounding alcohol use.

The program includes:
• A brief introduction and suggestions on the best way to start 15-minute conversations about alcohol between parent and student.
• An overview of the AlcoholEdu for College course structure and key concepts (five minutes).
• Direct access to AlcoholEdu for College, in an easy-to-use format that allows you to navigate freely from chapter to chapter (approximately three hours).
• Helpful resources, such as tips on talking to your college student about alcohol, fact sheets on alcohol’s effect on the brain, how alcohol impairs learning and memory, and more.

CCU alumni have a new baby

August 5 2013

Krystin (Mementowski) and Scott Dean, (2007 graduates) have a new baby. Skyela James Dean was born June 1 and weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Director of Communications and Marketing at Young Harris College in Georgia, Krystin was recently named one of CASE’s 2013-14 SimpsonScarborough Scholars. She was one of two scholars selected from a pool of nearly 70 applicants. The program is sponsored by SimpsonScarborough, a leading communications and marketing consulting firm specializing in higher education, and supports the professional development of promising communications and marketing practitioners in the educational advancement profession.

Scott was recently hired as creative director of Fieldstone Resort in Young Harris, Ga. He is also gallery director and adjunct instructor of art at Young Harris College.

CCU's Gabriel goes to Hurricanes

July 25 2013

Brian Gabriel, former head strength and conditioning coach at Coastal Carolina University for six years, has a new job with the University of Miami Hurricanes. He'll be an assistant strength and conditioning coach with oversight of the university's baseball program.

From 2006-09, Gabriel was the director of strength and conditioning for the Chanticleers’ Olympic sports teams. In December 2009, he was promoted to director of speed, strength and conditioning for all sports, including the Chanticleers baseball and football teams.

Chauncey’s Night 5K is Friday, Oct. 25

Chauncey’s Night 5K is designed to be a fun, social run,so bring family and friends with you for a fun, affordable Friday night out. Everyone will be glowing and when you register, you will get all the items you need to fit in and stand out with your own glow in the dark race shirt and other items.

The race will be Friday night, the day before the CCU vs. VMI Football game. Plan to spend your weekend with CCU! All paid registrations will include a game ticket voucher (one per registration, extra tickets available for purchase at faculty/staff discount).

The race is Friday night with the run starting at 7:30 p.m., and the football game is scheduled to kickoff at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.

Registration is just $20 until Oct. 4 for all CCU faculty and staff. From Oct. 5 up until race day, the cost is $25.

Registration includes a race bib, glow in the dark T-shirt (late registrations are not guaranteed a shirt), glow sticks, a medal, and a football game ticket voucher. The race staging will start at 6 p.m., and the race will begin at 7:30 p.m. The race will begin and end in Brooks Stadium and take you all over campus. After you finish the race, stay in Brooks Stadium until 10 p.m. to enjoy music and glowing with all the other racers. Parking will be available at Brooks Stadium, the Boni Belle Hitting Facility and Arcadia Hall.

Packet pickup will begin Thursday, Oct. 24 at The HTC Center from noon to 9 p.m. Friday pickup will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The HTC Center, or 6 p.m. at Brooks Stadium.

Alumna Jessica Alexander wins golf tournament

July 25 2013

Recent Coastal Carolina University graduate Jessica Alexander made the news.

Jessica Alexander fired a two-over par 218 to win the 15th annual Golf Capital of Tennessee Women's Open played July 18-20 at the Stonehenge Golf Club. The Riverview, Fla., woman picked up the $5,000, first-place check.